Men's Football Blog

Fifty-one different Thursday's Heroes gathered with their families and the BYU football team on Tuesday night for a reunion on the football practice fields. The approximately 500 people in attendance enjoyed a nice dinner and entertainment while catching up with each other.

Every week during the football season, an individual or a family with special needs is identified and invited to attend a team practice. At the conclusion of the practice, “Thursday’s Hero” is introduced to Bronco Mendenhall and recognized by the team members in an informal ceremony that is always emotional and fulfilling; indeed Coach Mendenhall and the players are as strengthened and encouraged as the people they honor on a weekly basis.

The BYU football team took a break from its daily fall camp routine to participate in the team’s annual photo day Tuesday at the Indoor Practice Facility.

Players rotated through various stations for a variety of promotional shots, including broadcast head shots for ESPN and other television outlets, and video green screen shots for BYUtv and the new stadium video boards. Newcomers came dressed in shirts and ties for head shots for byucougars.com before changing into jerseys.

Members of the local media were also present, conducting interviews and photo shoots for future stories. BYU Athletics joined in on the interviews, learning many unique things about members of the team. We'll share much of what we learned in future blog posts.

In memory of the 40-year anniversary of LaVell Edwards being named head football coach at BYU, we found a list of classic LaVell quotes from his time at BYU.

Edwards was asked if a Playboy magazine article predicting BYU to finish 7-5 in 1978 had any merit. Edwards' response: "Not too many people read Playboy in Provo."

"I'm a firm believer in hard work to reach the desired goals. But I also believe football should be fun; a sport the players, as well as the fans, should enjoy. It doesn't have to be regimentation or drudgery. The outgrowth of football should be good, positive values that will benefit a players for the remainder of his life."

A Sports Illustrated article described Edwards as a "large, lumpy chap, secretly something ofa poet and a romantic." Edwards called a columnist at the Provo Daily Herald to find out what that meant. She told him, "it means you're a fat daydreamer." The columnist was Pat Edwards, LaVell's wife.

BYU athletics video started posting great football moments on the BYU Cougars YouTube channel earlier this week. See below for the videos that have been posted this week and check the YouTube channel every day for more great moments.

BYU Athletics unveiled the new football lobby in a ceremony honoring donors Wednesday at the Student Athlete Building.

Head coach Bronco Mendenall addressed the donors, expressing appreciation for their contributions and what the new lobby represents.

“I hope you look and see progress here,” Mendenhall said. “What we work hard to do is bring to life what you’re supporting so when others come in they know exactly who we are, what we represent, and why, and then ask how they can become a part of it. It inspires you to be someone who is stronger and a better version of yourself. Because of your support, you’ve made that come to life. This is a tangible way to show the direction we’re going.”

“I was awe-struck and inspired looking at this,” donor Jim Evans said. “You feel the spirit of what this is all about. It portrays the spirit of what coach Mendenhall wants BYU football to be about.”

Along with the 1984 National Championship trophy, the lobby features a Band of Brothers, Tradition, Spirit and Honor section. The walls display quotes from LDS general authorities as well as inspiring figures, past players and LaVell Edwards. Video screens show memorable moments in the history of BYU football. Down the hall from the lobby also features an updated missionary wall, featuring a map of where players have served missions and are currently serving.

A quote from Mendenhall also graces the wall, “The mission of BYU football has been, and always will be, to change lives through football excellence.”

The lights in LaVell Edwards Stadium were shining late into the night, Tuesday, for the football team's Date Night/Couple's Clinic. Laughs and cheers could be heard as coaches, players and fans gathered for drills, dinner, a short talent show, a comedic performance and a fun atmosphere to celebrate the start of a new BYU football season.

When the couples first arrived they received a t-shirt and nametage, and were treated to a Ruby River dinner with BYU's players and coaches. After dinner and lots of autographs, the couples laughed with Utah comedian Keith Stubbs before being entertained by junior Justin Sorenson's unicycling and juggling.

Basic football knowledge from offensive coordinator Brandon Doman and coach Nick Howell was next on the schedule as the couples gathered to hear about BYU's offense and defense this upcoming season.

To wrap up the eventful night, the couples split up into eight groups and were able to have some one-on-one time with the players. Couples learned a few techniques from players in all different positions and even had a chance to put their knowledge to the test on the field.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has created a video featuring former Cougar and NFL tight end Chad Lewis. The video (see below) can be found on mormon.org and features Lewis' football career and his hike up Mt. Kilimanjaro that helped bring attention to the Wounded Warriors Project. Lewis currently works as BYU's associate athletic director for development.

On Tuesday BYU wide receiver Cody Hoffman was named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List, an award given to the nation's top receiver.

The junior from Cresent City, Calif., led BYU with 943 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns last season. He recorded five games with 100 or more receiving yards, including a 162-yard performance in a victory against Oregon State. You can read more here.

In case you missed it, BYUtv released a commercial Monday featuring Hoffman as he "loyally guards the dark halls and studios of BYUtv." You can see the video here.

Good Works Team

Junior running back Michael Alisa also received recognition on Tuesday for his off-the-field good works as a member of the BYU football team. Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced 117 nominees for the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, including Alisa. As one of college football’s most prestigious off-the-field honors, the award recognizes a select group of college football players committed to making a difference in their communities.

A junior from Laie, Hawai’i, Alisa enters the 2012 season as BYU’s top returning rusher after totaling 455 yards on 85 carries last year. In his first game as the primary ball carrier last season Alisa rushed for 91 yards on 16 attempts. He averages 5.4 yards per carry and 11.0 yards per reception coming out of the backfield. Off the field, Alisa is always willing to help others and regularly seeks opportunities to serve in the community. He also spent two years as a missionary in Puerto Rico for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Alisa’s teammate Riley Nelson previously earned selection as a member of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®. The BYU quarterback was one of 11 nominees chosen to the 2010 team.

As mentioned in this blog yesterday, BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall has been busy doing some ESPN interviews. Monday afternoon he appeared on ESPN SportsCenter as well as College Football Live. Today, ESPNU College Football released a podcast which headlined ESPN senior writer Ivan Maisel talking with Coach Mendenhall. They discussed, among other things, BYU's position as a football independent, the BYU-Utah rivalry and the emergence of Hoffman and quarterback Riley Nelson.

When asked by Maisel about some tough road games on the schedule, Mendenhall said, "We're not anxious to stay the same, we're anxious to grow, improve and measure ourselves and compete and win against some of the best (teams) in the country in some of the most unique settings. We're not taking a passive approach, we're taking an aggressive approach."

Maisel and Mendenhall had a good-natured and candid conversation over the first 14 minutes of the podcast. You can listen to the podcast here.

Hansen, a senior offensive guard, and Van Noy, a junior outside linebacker, were both named to the 43rd Annual Rotary Lombardi Award Official Watch List. The Rotary Lombardi Award is given to the nation’s top college lineman or linebacker each year.

Kaveinga was named to the 28th annual Butkus Award® Watch List recognizing the nation's top linebackers.

Hansen has started all 39 games of his career for the Cougars, on pace to tie the BYU record of 52 consecutive starts. A product of Sandy, Utah, Hansen has helped BYU to 28 wins over the last three years and three straight bowl victories. Hansen was previously named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, recognizing the best interior linemen, for the second-consecutive season.

Van Noy led the Cougars in sacks (7.0) and tackles for loss (15.0) in 2011 to go along with his 68 total tackles. A 6-foot-3, 235-pounder from Reno, Nev., Van Noy was the only Division I player to record a statistic in each of the major defensive categories including tackle, tackle for loss, sack, quarterback hurry, pass breakup, interception, forced fumble, fumble recovery and blocked kick. Van Noy was also recently named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List for the nation’s best defensive player.

Kaveinga started all 13 games for BYU as a junior in 2011 after beginning his career at USC. The 5-foot-11, 236-pound native of Hawthorne, Calif., earned Phil Steele All-Independent Second Team honors last season while helping BYU achieve a 10-3 record and No. 25 final national ranking in the team’s first season as a football independent.

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ESPN talks with Coach Mendenhall

In addition to the watch lists announcements, BYU football was also recognized Monday through some national interviews on ESPN. Head coach Bronco Mendenhall appeared live on SportsCenter talking with Michael Kim. He also was interviewed by Joe Tessitore on College Football Live.

In addition to being on the flagship program for the Worldwide Leader in Sports and its daily program dedicated to college football, Mendenhall also did other interviews on Monday for upcoming ESPN shows, podcasts and stories. Mendenhall did most of his interviews via satellite from the state-of-the-art facilities at BYUtv.

Four BYU players were named to the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) Offensive and Defensive Watch Lists released recently.

Wide receiver Cody Hoffman was named to the CFPA Wide Receiver Trophy Watch List while tight ends junior Austin Holt and Richard Wilson were both named to the Tight End Trophy Watch List. BYU was one of three schools with two tight ends named to the list.

Linebacker Kyle Van Noy was BYU's lone defensive player on a list, making the CFPA Linebacker Trophy Watch List.

Hoffman led BYU in all-purpose yards with 1,825 yards, the sixth-best mark in BYU history. He led BYU in all receiving categories, pulling down 61 receptions for 943 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was named to the 2011 Phil Steele All-Independent First Team and both the Yahoo! Sports and FBS All-Independent Teams. He was recently included on the Phil Steele Preseason All-Independent First Team for 2012.

Both Holt and Wilson were off to good starts in 2011 but each suffered knee injuries preventing them from finishing out the year. Holt was named the Phil Steele All-Independent Second Team after recording 11 receptions for 180 yards and Wilson caught 11 balls for 130 yards and one touchdown. The duo should be healthy for the start of 2012 season.

Van Noy was one of the leaders on a 2011 BYU defense ranked No. 13 in total defense and was named to the CFPA Linebacker Trophy Watch List. The Reno, Nev. product led BYU in tackles for loss and sacks with 15 and 7.5, respectively. He was second on the team with 68 total tackles and tied for the team lead with 3 interceptions. He also forced and recovered a fumble for a touchdown to win the game at Ole Miss in the season opener. He was the only Division I player to record a statistic in every major defensive category.

According to its website, the goal of College Football Performance Awards is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.